page 3Sidebar: "If you encounter a Sharingan user in a one on one fight, you definitely have to run away." (Naruto is thinking)Sidebar: "If it's a two on one, then someone can get him from behind" is what Chiyo baa-san said. (Naruto is thinking)Sidebar: But just with a movement of his finger, he can capture someone in his genjutsu.Sidebar: Be careful!Itachi: It seems that you have some understanding of how to battle against the Sharingan.Itachi: Yet you know you're alone... why are you not running?Naruto: Grr...Naruto: I'm one of a thousand!Naruto: That's why I'm not running!Naruto: If I catch you, then I can see Sasuke!

page 4Itachi: Why are you so intent on seeing my little brother again. He's a runaway ninja, after all.Naruto: Because he's more my brother than he ever was to you!

page 5Naruto: Uwaaaa!

page 6Itachi: You're too late, you're already inside my Genjutsu.Naruto: Damnit!Itachi: I'll say it once more, all I want to do is talk with you.

page 7Jiraiya: I'm coming in, Tsunade (ed note. what, did he think she was naked?)Tsunade: Jiraiya? Did you find something?Jiraiya: You bet, I've located the whereabouts of the Akatsuki leader.Tsunade: What!? Really!?Tsunade: Explain! Now!Shizune: We can use that information to formulate a surprise attack!

page 8Jiraiya: Now now, don't get impatient with me.Tsunade: This better not be the sequel to one of your stupid novels!Jiraiya:

Jiraiya: Well, how about it? It's been awhile since we've had a drink together. How about we go out for a drink, and I'll tell you everything there.Tsunade: Whaaat!?Tsunade: You idiot! I'm the Hokage! What the hell, sake during the afternoon!? Do you think that'd be acceptable while there are Leaf ninjas out there!?

page 9Jiraiya: sheesh, you ought to take your own advice sometime! You are the Hokage after all.Tsunade: Anyway, the Akatsuki leader is in the Hidden Village of the Rain?Tsunade: But that country is known for following people around during the length of their stay. That even happened during the Chuunin exams. They make it a lot more difficult to do anything.Tsunade: I don't think he'd be able to move around freely in such a village.Jiraiya: That's why they went there, actually. The Hidden Village of the Rain is a place where they keep all of their information away from the reach of other countries, in order to hide their shameful past.Tsunade: Shameful?Jiraiya: From what I've heard, the country is in the middle of a civil war that has split up everyone into two factions. The leader of one of those factions is the same as the Akatsuki leader.

page 10Tsunade: That country is surrounded by the Earth, Wind and Fire countries, and for the longest time it's been a common battleground for their wars. Because of that, the government hasn't been able to stabilize the country, and there have been a lot of refugees.Jiraiya: Yes, and that's why I have to go in there and confirm what I've heard. And then we can start planning a strategy.Tsunade: Sending in one person is far too dangerous!Jiraiya: Have you forgotten? I'm one of the Legendary Three, you ought to know that.Tsunade: This is bad... always having to ask you to help out.

page 11Jiraiya: Haha, what's up with you all of a sudden?Tsunade: You were the one who was going to be Hokage. The Third wanted you to be his...Jiraiya: I'm far too carefree and independent to be the Hokage...Tsunade: And you regret not being able to stop Orochimaru...Tsunade: And you've been following Orochimaru's movements ever since...?Jiraiya: Yes, well... I no longer have to worry about him. Now I can just concentrate on releasing my novels.Tsunade: The truth is stranger than fiction, huh... I can't believe he died...

page 12Tsunade: Back when we were young, the Third...Jiraiya: And now Tsunade has become the envy of all flat-chested kunoichi, the big-breasted Hokage! My, how times have changed!Jiraiya: And now the once-beautiful Tsunade has turned into a 50 year old grandma, with the memories of her beloved fallen comrades packed away into that bosom of yours. It makes me cry a little on the inside. Perhaps your breasts will grow even larger!Jiraiya: Don't take it the wrong way though, I'm only saying this so that you can help the next generation of Leaf shinobi better.Jiraiya: That's why I can laugh in the face of danger while I risk my life!Jiraiya: It's one of the only cool things I can do at my age.

page 13Naruto: What the hell...!?Naruto: Aren't you after me!? If you are, why are you just standing there!?Itachi: I'm going.Itachi: I have something important to take care of.Naruto: A shadow clone...!

page 14Itachi: You've arrived...Sasuke: Who are you?

page 15Itachi: It's me. Sasuke.

sidebar: The bonds of hatred...

page 16Sidebar: The time that he has hoped for has unexpectedly arrived...!